About The Area Development Program

Designated as the Local Development District (LDD) by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), SPC plays a lead role in identifying priority needs of local communities by working to foster economic development, to target and meet the most pressing needs, and to build community unity and leadership.

SPC undertakes projects through the Area Development Program that address the five goals identified by ARC in its strategic plan.

1. Developing a knowledgeable and skilled population
2. Strengthening the Region's physical infrastructure
3. Building local and regional capacity
4. Creating a dynamic economic base
5. Fostering healthy people

SPC seeks to build such projects as education and workforce training programs, highway construction, water and sewer system construction, leadership development programs, small business start-ups and expansions, and development of healthcare resources to meet the Area Development goals.

Eligible projects:

• Technical assistance that provides basic services to enhance business development
• Industrial site development
• Local access road
• Acquisition and development of incubator facilities
• Commercial area revitalization
• Telecommunications projects that encourage education and workforce training
• Telehealth monitoring
  

SPC’s role as the LDD is key to project development and review, providing technical assistance to local project sponsors and sending priority recommendations to the state.

All area development projects must be completed in close consultation with SPC. The grants are very competitive, and require both a pre-application and extensive full application preparation and review. Pre-applications are due each year in June, and full applications by the following January.

Click here for a list of ARC Committee Members.

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2007 Activities

In 2007, SPC’s LDD efforts resulted in grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded to three projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania:

• The Apollo Borough Brownfield Remediation Project received a grant to help fund the removal of contaminated materials on a 14-acre parcel. This site is a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) that is adjacent to the Central Business District, making it a priority for redevelopment.
• The Indiana Regional Medical Center received a grant to construct an access road and related infrastructure to develop a 6- acre site for expanded healthcare services.  This road will also provide access to an additional 50 acres in subsequent phases of development. 
• Greene County received a grant to construct an access road at the Meadow Ridge Business Park.  This project will enhance the marketability of the business park by improving the safety, efficiency, and aesthetics of the travel route into the park.

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For more information about the Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Program, contact Jill Byers at (412) 391-5590 x343 or e-mail ARC@spcregion.org.

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